Signs of depression in men

Previously, it was believed that depression was unique to the female sex. However, this myth has been dispelled, since depression in men manifests itself in other symptoms and signs similar to those in women, but with some differences. Depression occurs for specific reasons in men, which are more related to social and material life. Treatment has many directions.

It used to be that only women could have depression. However, the fact that men simply did not allow their depressed state to be expressed and demonstrated did not mean that they were not experiencing a depressive disorder. “Men don’t cry,” but this does not mean that they don’t want to cry and don’t do it when they are alone.

The male psyche is structured in the same way as the female. Therefore, the stronger sex is characterized by the same mental manifestations as the female. Only the physiological and social reasons that cause depression in different sexes may differ. In any case, depression should be combated in all effective ways that are acceptable in each specific case.

If a man cannot cope with his depression for a long time, then he can start by seeking help from a psychologist on the website psymedcare.ru.

What is depression in men?

Depression in men is no different in any significant way from depression in other people. What is depression in men? This is a mental disorder that manifests itself in the usual triad:

Anhedonia is the loss of feelings of joy.
Negativism, pessimism, slowing down the pace of processes - a violation of thinking.
Motor retardation.

Men are afraid to experience depression, since any manifestation of feelings by the male sex is considered weakness and lack of masculinity. Such stereotypes have already led many representatives of the stronger sex to heart disease and other vascular disorders that arose against the background of a depressive state. The thing is that depression is common to absolutely all people whose mood periodically changes depending on the circumstances.

It is quite normal to be sad and discouraged due to failures, loss of something valuable, dissatisfaction with your own life. The main thing here is not the appearance of depression, but its duration. Every man has the right to be sad and yearn, cry and lose heart. However, this condition should not last for many days. It's better to dust yourself off, pick yourself up, and move on.

Often men hide their condition from the eyes of others. They were taught this - not to show their tears and not to talk about personal problems. However, if a depressive state greatly affects a man and lasts for a long time, then it should be noted that his behavior is aggravating his health.

Against the background of depression, a man may experience problems:

With your back.
With the reproductive system (impotence may develop).
With the head (pain may occur).
With sleep (insomnia will occur).

You can hide your condition if it makes you feel more comfortable being in public. But you should not ignore your mental state, which necessarily affects your physical health.

A subdepressive state is noted if the depressed mood lasted up to 2 weeks. Pathological depression is diagnosed if it lasts more than 2 weeks.

Prevention

The best prevention of depression in men is to follow the rules of a healthy lifestyle, a reasonable alternation of work and proper rest. This is something that will help relieve stress and maintain peace of mind.

You should not set unattainable goals; it is better to decide on realistic goals and gradually solve them.
It is important to get rid of negative thinking and look at the world from the point of view of an optimistic person;
A sufficient amount of time should be devoted to communicating with family, loved ones and friends (take part in family events);
You should adhere to a daily routine (overwork at work and excessive fatigue are unacceptable).

Sports, doing what you love (hobbies), traveling and proper nutrition are the components of mental health that will help overcome depression or prevent its occurrence.

Conclusion

Depression is not a death sentence, but only a painful condition that can be successfully treated. In order for a man to become a support for his loved ones and get back on his feet, he needs moral and psychological support.

The determining factor in overcoming depression is recognizing the problem, having a confidential conversation with your family, and having the courage to ask them for help. A man should look for a way out, and not withdraw into himself.

The disease can be overcome if you do not postpone your visit to the doctor and strictly follow the prescribed prescriptions. You need to rethink your lifestyle, analyze stressful situations and possible reasons that led to this condition. And remember: your health is in your hands.

If a man cannot cope with his problem for a long time, then you can start by seeking help from a psychologist on the website.

Causes of depression in men

There is no single cause of depression in men. Often there is a complex of reasons, which is unique in each case. This can combine biological, psychological, social factors, as well as attitudes towards people and lifestyle.

Psychogenic factors, which include any stressful situations, are becoming common. Depression develops if the psychogenic factor was very strong in its psychotraumatic indicators or when the stimulus is not strong, but constant in a person’s life.

Strong irritants include:

Dismissal from work.
Death of a loved one.
Losing a lot of money.
News about a fatal disease.
Divorce, etc.

Mild but constant irritants can be:

Troubles at work, misunderstandings in the team, with the boss.
Quarrels in the family, illness of children.

All people face stressful situations. If they are severe or constant, they inevitably lead to depression, perhaps even hidden.

Endogenous factors appear less frequently in conditions in men. These include the following:

Hereditary predisposition, when genes transmit the possibility of developing an affective disorder without obvious reasons for its manifestation.
Seasonality. So, men may experience autumn or winter depression.
Mental disorders, such as manic-depressive disorder.

Somatogenic factors are becoming no less common - this is a physiological condition that is observed in men. The list is huge, but common reasons are:

Cholelithiasis.
Stroke.
Diabetes.
AIDS.
Parkinson's disease.
Sarcoma.
Huntington's chorea.
Thyrotoxicosis.
Erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Special attention should be paid to alcoholism, in which alcoholic depression develops. It is often observed in the male half, who use alcohol to escape from life’s problems and exciting experiences.

Doctors call the most common situations when depressive disorder occurs in men:

After divorce/separation.
After leaving work.
Due to a midlife crisis.
After the birth of the child.
Due to unsettled life at a young age.

Since men often ignore their own depression or hide it from the eyes of others, it becomes difficult to recognize its signs. However, when identifying depression in men, it can be noted that everyone experiences it differently:

Some representatives isolate themselves from friends, become isolated, lose interest in life, and become sad.
Others may throw themselves headlong into work, drink away their grief with alcoholic beverages, take an interest in extreme sports or participate in dangerous activities, take risks and constantly have fun for no reason, or get carried away by promiscuous sexual contacts.
Still others can become aggressive, snap at loved ones, even cause physical pain to someone, and get into fights.
Still others may become completely uncontrollable. It will be impossible to predict what they will do next minute. They can break away and go on a trip, despite the fact that a meeting with business partners is scheduled for tomorrow.
Fifth people are addicted to bad habits: alcohol, drugs or gambling.

Although men hide their depression, you can recognize it by their behavior and manifestations. You should be careful, and then you can note the following signs of depression in a man:

Attacks of anger, anger, rage.
Decreased sexual desire.
Reduced blood pressure.
Addiction to psychoactive substances, drugs or alcohol.
Sleep and appetite disturbances.
Increased workaholism.
Passion for gambling, dangerous activities or extreme sports.
Increased irritability.
Sharp and dramatic mood swings from a feeling of one’s own omnipotence to a complete feeling of personal worthlessness.
Pain in the head or chest, physical malaise.

Of course, the man will begin to deny that he is depressed. Therefore, relatives must find a different approach to persuading him to use specialized psychological help.

Symptoms of depression in men

It is difficult to list all the symptoms of depression in men, since we are talking about the versatility of its manifestation. Symptoms appear complex and in different sets, so each case is individual. Consider the common symptoms of male depression:

Blaming others for your own troubles.
Feelings of irritability, anger, suspicion, helplessness, anxiety, conflict.
Fear of admitting your own weakness.
Excitement.
Uncertainty and despair.
The desire to control everything.
Loss of sense of humor.
Tendency to aggression and even violence.
Increased sensitivity to criticism.
Low mood.
Inability to perform quality work, fatigue, loss of strength.
Loss of concentration, decreased mental activity, inability to make a decision, answer some questions and assess the situation.
Appetite disorder is often in the direction of loss.
A sleep disorder that often results in insomnia or drowsiness.
Deterioration of self-esteem.
Inappropriate feeling of guilt, turning into self-flagellation.
Decreased libido.
Thoughts and even attempts to commit suicide.
Slow motor activity.
Indigestion, accompanied by diarrhea or constipation.
Pain in the head, back, neck.
Lack of restraint in relationships with others, inability to adequately respond to what is happening.
Loss of concentration.
Increased anxiety.
Aggression and anger due to lack of achieved goals.
The emergence of bad habits that a person had previously given up or did not use.

Symptoms vary and are often disguised under other causes in order to divert attention from the real problem.

Treatment of depression in men

Every man must understand that depression is a loss-making condition that does not allow him to live fully. If you ignore depression, it will not go away, but will simply force a person to live by its rules. The most unpleasant consequence of male depression is suicide. To avoid this ending, you should treat depression in men.

If it is difficult for a person to talk about his problems to loved ones, then it is recommended to consult a psychologist. In the early stages of depression, a conversation with a psychologist will be sufficient, who will listen, if necessary, give advice, support, etc. No diagnoses or pills will be prescribed, only communication that promotes relaxation and the elimination of emotional tensions.

If there are people around who can listen and treat a man’s condition normally when he becomes weak and helpless, then you should turn to them. It is recommended to communicate more often with people you can trust, even in moments of weakness. This will help in eliminating depression.

Some common medications that can be used include antidepressants. It is better to have them prescribed by a specialist as needed. The fact is that long-term use of antidepressants and other medications leads to addiction or side effects, which will not help in solving the problem.

For the most part, doctors recommend simply changing your lifestyle. You should start by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, where the body promotes mental recovery:

Playing sports that are not life-threatening: running, cycling, swimming, etc.
Adequate nutrition, when the body receives the microelements necessary for activity.
Healthy sleep when a man gets enough sleep.

Surround yourself with nice people. At the time of depression, it is better to isolate yourself from the situations that provoked it. Stress should be avoided while you are weak and helpless. It is better to do other things where it is recommended to set small goals and objectives that a man can achieve. This will help in increasing self-esteem.

Those problems that are depressing now should, if possible, be postponed until later, when the strength returns and there is a “fighting” mood. In the meantime, you can do what you love, help your loved ones, solve everyday and petty problems.

Fighting methods

In order for the fight against depression to be crowned with victory, you should not remain silent about your trouble. Acknowledging your problems and expressing your emotions is the first step towards successful treatment.

Share your feelings of increasing oppression and brokenness with a significant other.
Be sure to make an appointment with a psychotherapist and follow his recommendations.
Try to find the reasons for your condition and rethink your attitude towards it.

Depression is like a lady in black. If she comes, do not drive her away, but invite her to the table as a guest, and listen to what she intends to say.

Carl Gustav Jung

Get plenty of rest and follow a daily routine (under no circumstances should you resort to alcohol or drugs to “drown out” the problem).
Follow your diet (limit protein intake, consume more carbohydrate foods and foods containing B vitamins). You can use dietary supplements containing natural serotonin (for example, Hippophaine).
Make time for social activity (going to cinemas, concerts, holiday events).

There are different ways to treat depressive disorders. The most effective is complex therapy: a person must follow the doctor’s instructions and try to help himself “break out” of this vicious circle.

It is also worth postponing making any important decisions for a while until the condition has completely stabilized.

To suppress depression, medications are used, in particular antidepressants. It must be borne in mind that these are “serious” medications that are dispensed at the pharmacy strictly according to a prescription.

Uncontrolled use of pills on your own can lead to the most unforeseen consequences, including death.

Modern antidepressants have a minimum number of unwanted side effects. Some of the safest today are: Mianserin, Milnacipran, Fluoxetine, Cipralex, Citalopram, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Duloxetine, Brintellix, etc.

It is necessary to strictly adhere to the treatment course prescribed by the doctor. Be prepared for the fact that the desired effect from drug treatment will not occur immediately, but after months.

Bottom line

Depression affects all people, even men. It is quite normal to feel sad or lose heart if difficult problem situations or insurmountable obstacles arise in life. At first, you should allow yourself to be weak and use the services of people who can provide love, support and understanding. The result of such emergency assistance will be a speedy return to a full life.

Depression can last for months or even years. You should be aware of this if a man decides to ignore and not pay attention to his condition. It won't go anywhere on its own. As long as problems continue to exist and new ones appear, the person will be depressed. Lack of treatment will worsen the man's condition, which can ultimately lead to suicide.

Life expectancy should not depend on a bad mood, right? Therefore, do not give in to weakness and start various methods of treatment, which simply involve healthy management, maintaining emotional balance and maintaining physical health, eliminating stressful situations.

Duration

Doctors’ answer to the question: “How long can depression last in men?” is very ambiguous: from several weeks to several months (in extremely advanced conditions, depression lasts for years!)

For symptoms lasting more than 2 weeks, it is very important to consult a psychotherapist. If this is not done, the condition will worsen, and it will be even more difficult to get the patient out of the current impasse.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of men experiencing depression try to “forget” and get away from the problem with the help of alcohol or drugs. Many people throw out negativity and anger on their family and friends, thereby further “undermining” their condition.